Nougat 21

In a previous Nougat about hearing God, I invited us to consider God’s faithfulness with respect to the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. I was correct in saying that it was destroyed. However, there is evidence that God included a clear caveat to Solomon. This is the point of our reflection on Today’s Holy Nougat

1 Kings 9:6-7 CEVDCI

[6] But if you or any of your descendants disobey my commands or start worshipping foreign gods,

[7] I will no longer let my people Israel live in this land I gave them. I will desert this temple where I said I would be worshiped. Then people everywhere will think this nation is only a joke and will make fun of it.

Hearing God 4

To place something at risk is to say or do something that has a negative impact. Usually, the person or thing is not in a position to prevent what will happen. They are at the mercy of the person ‘with power’. Common examples include the current climate crisis, where the Earth has little control over our actions. Likewise, our abuse of the earth’s resources can have long-term impacts on others in regions outside of our own. Children are often placed at risk when parents fight continually or separate. Passengers are placed at risk when drivers are careless. I’m sure that other examples come to mind.

Self-Check

Can we think of situations where our actions have put others at risk?

Deeper Dive

Although the Temple had just been dedicated, it was at risk. Solomon and his descendants had the power – just by virtue of their actions – to jeopardise the Temple’s safety. God did not mince words. Based on the first commandment, Solomon was instructed that the Temple, God’s house could become a place of folly.

While most of us hesitate to name it as such, we realise that not one, but the two temples were destroyed over time. The Israelites not only fell out of grace with God, but as indicated, their protection was removed. Some years later, they were exiled to various empires as God indicated.

Siblings, whether we refer to that as prophecy or covenant, one thing is clear. God is God’s own authority in cases requiring two witnesses (see John 8:17-18). We are told that God honours God’s word above even God’s own name (see Psalm 138:2). So when Solomon did not heed God’s words to him, God was obliged to honour the clauses God had established.

When we hear from God it becomes important that we listen keenly for any conditions (fine print) that God has established. If so, we must ensure that we attend to these conditions. This is not to suggest that God’s ‘NO’ or maladies only occur in instances of disobedience.

But it is an invitation for us to honour God when God speaks by needing God’s word.

Point to Ponder

How are we at heeding God when God speaks?

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May all we seek be found in Christ